Quick turnaround wins in Qatar for Safarova, Zakopalova

Lucie Safarova, shown at the 2012 U.S. Open, claimed a first-round win at the Qatar Total Open 2014 Tuesday, one day after helping the Czech Republic beat Spain in the Fed Cup. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

Safarova and Zakopalova each won points for the Czech Republic in singles matches Monday in the rain-delayed Fed Cup series in Spain. That allowed the Czechs to advance to the Fed Cup semifinals with a 3-2 decision over the Spanish.

They then hopped a jet to Doha where Safarova, behind a solid serving game, took out 16th-seeded Kirsten Flipkens 5-7, 6-4, 6-4; and Zakopalova sailed by Elina Svitolina 6-2, 6-4.